The Addictive Side of Exercise

Many people start exercising to achieve a weight loss goal. A few people take it too far, continuing to exercise for several hours a day, even when there’s no fat left to be lost.

The condition is known as anorexia athletica, a potentially fatal eating disorder. Someone with the disorder will exercise compulsively, even when sick or injured. The behavior is similar to that exhibited by drug addicts.

The American Psychological Association recently explored that idea that if exercise feels so good, maybe drug addicts could participate in moderate exercise instead of drugs to help with withdrawal. The study is called, “Running and Addiction: Precipitated Withdrawal in a Rat Model of Activity-Based Anorexia.” You can read the addiction study online in PDF form. Study authors concluded that their findings support the idea that “exercise-induced increases in endogenous opioid peptides act in a manner similar to chronic administration of opiate drugs.”

It sounds like exercise addiction has a definite chemical basis. Moderate exercise is good, but excessive exercise can be addicting, even fatal.

WebMD discusses a very similar problem known as Female Athlete Triad. They report that many elite female athletes may suffer from the same symptoms of anorexia nervosa, with a triple threat of not receiving enough nutrients, skipped periods and osteoporosis. The disorder has been linked to cardiovascular disease. The article attempts to tackle the myth that it’s fine if a female athlete stops having periods. They argue that the missed periods have heart and bone health implications.

According to Female Athlete Triad Coalition, you can recognize signs of the condition, including cold hands and feet, irregular or absent menstrual cycles, always feeling tired, and problems sleeping, as well as stress fractures and frequent or recurrent injuries. An athlete suffering from the triad may also exhibit very restrictive food intake along with a constantly striving to be thin.

While the two conditions have some differences, the main thing they have in common is threat to health. If you suspect a friend is suffering from anorexia athletica or Female Athlete Triad, a treatment program may be in order.

(Image via flickr/Mike Baird)